Help with setting up a local private network please.

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

I do not currently have a local network set up for transferring files between my PC and laptop, (both running Win11)

I'm Googling how to do this, but the guides I'm finding are always different to what my PC comes up with when I try to follow it.

Is there a simple guide as to how to set up a network so I can share files between my PC which is connected by cable to the router, and my laptop which is using WiFi to connect to the router?

Any help is much appreciated.

wiganken · May 16, 2024

As a first step have you ensured that both the following are turned 'On' on both devices: -
Network Discovery, and
File & Printer sharing

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

wiganken said:
As a first step have you ensured that both the following are turned 'On' on both devices: -
Network Discovery, and
File & Printer sharing

Turned on for both PC and laptop

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

OK,

I have now got to the point where when I click on network my PC shows my laptop, but when I click on network on my laptop it just shows my laptop.

When I click on the laptop icon on my PC it comes up with enter credentials, but I've no idea what to put in.

Bree · May 16, 2024

SteveinKent said:
When I click on the laptop icon on my PC it comes up with enter credentials, but I've no idea what to put in.

By default when you connect to another PC over the network your PC tries to connect using the name and password that you are signed in to this PC. If there is an account on the other PC with the same name and password you will connect.

If not, then you will be asked for credentials. You need to enter the name and password of an account that exists on the PC you are trying to connect to.

Try3 · May 16, 2024

SteveinKent said:
Is there a simple guide as to how to set up a network

Yes.
A consolidated network setup checklist for Windows 10 and 11 - my post #4 - TenForums

And don't get misled by

SteveinKent said:
when I click on network my PC shows my laptop, but when I click on network on my laptop it just shows my laptop

From the words you chose, I think you were referring to what appeared & did not appear in File explorer's Network section, something that has been fatally flawed for years.
My checklist includes alternatives.

Best of luck,
Denis

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Bree · May 16, 2024

Try3 said:
~~A consolidated network setup checklist for Windows 10 and 11 - my post #4 - TenForums~~
The thread I posted it in has been removed.

It was a temporary glitch, the thread and your post is back now.

Try3 · May 16, 2024

Bree, Thanks for sorting that out. Denis

wiganken · May 16, 2024

Bree said:
If there is an account on the other PC with the same name and password you will connect.

By 'Account' do you mean 'Profile' name?
I too have the same scenario as the OP and both devices have my 'Profile' named the same ('Ken') with the same PW on both devices.

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

wiganken said:
By 'Account' do you mean 'Profile' name?
I too have the same scenario as the OP and both devices have my 'Profile' named the same ('Ken') with the same PW on both devices.

So the profile name has to be the same, not the Windows account email?

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

I am still confused with the private network

I have the same email and password for Microsoft on both PC and Laptop

The PC network shows the laptop, but the laptop network has now stopped showing the PC

If I click on the Laptop icon in the PC it still asks for credentials, I put in the email and password for the laptop, and it says username or password incorrect.

Try3 · May 16, 2024

wiganken said:
By 'Account' do you mean 'Profile' name?
I too have the same scenario as the OP and both devices have my 'Profile' named the same ('Ken') with the same PW on both devices.

Referring to a user account UserName and a Profile name are essentially talking about the same thing.

If Ken is an Admin then Ken ought to be able to authorise access.
[Step 4 of my checklist]

Denis

antspants · May 16, 2024

Stevein have you ever logged in to the PC or laptop with the username and password belonging to it or have you always used a pin?
I was taught that before you can connect to another system, you have had to of logged into that system using a user/pass at least once.

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

antspants said:
Stevein have you ever logged in to the PC or laptop with the username and password belonging to it or have you always used a pin?
I was taught that before you can connect to another system, you have had to of logged into that system using a user/pass at least once.

Just done this, so we'll see

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

I have now changed the user name for both PC and laptop to be the same and I can now click on the Laptop icon and it shows "Users"
Click on that and it's "WIndows11", click on that it lists a load of folders and stuff, but no C:/ etc

I can now get to the PC from the Laptop but again it's the "users" folder etc, cannot get to my files.

antspants · May 16, 2024

User folders. That’s it. Anything else is more indepth.

So logging in with the user/pass first worked I assume?

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

SteveinKent said:
I have now changed the user name for both PC and laptop to be the same and I can now click on the Laptop icon and it shows "Users"
Click on that and it's "WIndows11", click on that it lists a load of folders and stuff, but no C:/ etc

View attachment 96383
I can now get to the PC from the Laptop but again it's the "users" folder etc, cannot get to my files.

But I can transfer files from the PC to the Laptops desktop, so that may be OK for what I need to use it for

SteveinKent · May 16, 2024

antspants said:
User folders. That’s it. Anything else is more indepth.

So logging in with the user/pass first worked I assume?

Don't know, but I did that even though I'm sure I had done that before.

But I also changed the user name to be the same on both PC and Laptop and used that in the "credentials" request

antspants · May 16, 2024

Remote access to C: isn’t something that is standard.

antspants · May 16, 2024

SteveinKent said:
Don't know, but I did that even though I'm sure I had done that before.

But I also changed the user name to be the same on both PC and Laptop and used that in the "credentials" request

I have never been able to log in with credentials without first having logged into the computer I am trying to connect to, with a user/pass first or at least once I mean.